What is LiDAR?

• Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method.
• It uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth.
• These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
• A lidar instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver.
• Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring lidar data over broad areas.
• Two types of lidar are topographic and bathymetric.
  • Topographic lidar typically uses a near-infrared laser to map the land, while bathymetric lidar uses water-penetrating green light to also measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.

Applications

• Lidar systems allow scientists and mapping professionals to examine both natural and manmade environments with accuracy, precision, and flexibility.
• It is commonly used by geologists and surveyors to make high-resolution maps.
• Besides, it is used in a wide range of land management and planning efforts, including hazard assessment (including lava flows, landslides, tsunamis, and floods), forestry, agriculture, geologic mapping, etc.

Why in News?

A U.K. based team of archaeologists carried on their research on ancient Roman sites from being at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic by using data collected through LiDAR.

Reference:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/how-archaeologists-continued-digging-from-home-during-lockdown/article31760027.ece

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lidar.html#:~:text=Lidar%2C%20which%20stands%20for%20Light,variable%20distances)%20to%20the%20Earth.